McGuinty Government Continues to Build Ontario's Clean Energy Economy

Ontario is moving forward with its commitment to review its clean energy Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program.

PHOTO CREDIT - LawyersWeekly.ca

Cornwall - Oct. 31, 2011 - Ontario is moving forward with its commitment to review its clean energy Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program.

When the program launched in 2009, it included a commitment to review FIT every two years. This commitment was also included in the province's Long-Term Energy Plan, released in November 2010.

The review will consider a range of issues, such as:

- FIT price reduction
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of clean energy procurement
- Continuing to build on the success of Ontario-based manufacturing and clean energy job creation
- Consideration of new technologies and fuel sources
- Local consultations and the renewable approval process (REA)

As a result of this review, new prices for FIT contracts will be carefully developed to balance the interests of ratepayers with the need to encourage investments in new clean energy in Ontario. Going forward, all future clean energy contracts will be subject to the new price schedule.

The province's FIT Program was launched in 2009 and it has helped make Ontario a clean energy leader. It has made it easier and more efficient to bring renewable energy projects of all sizes online, stimulate the economy and create jobs. It has helped replace dirty coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy, cleaning up the air, protecting the health of Ontarians and reducing the province?s environmental footprint.

Ontarians can provide feedback by answering an online survey or making a written submission at Ontario.ca/FITreview until December 14, 2011.

"The response to our microFIT and FIT programs has been tremendous, with thousands of Ontarians participating in our clean energy economy. This review is part of our plan to transform our electricity system and ensure a sustainable clean energy program. Our efforts are working - attracting investment, creating thousands of jobs and building a better future for our children and grandchildren," said Energy Minister Chris Bentley.

Ontario has appointed Deputy Minister Fareed Amin to lead the review. He will work together with the Ontario Power Authority and consult with the sector throughout the review.

The FIT Program provides guaranteed, long-term contracts for energy generated using renewable resources. Over 80 national or sub-national jurisdictions have feed-in tariff programs.

Since 2009, more than 30 businesses have announced they are setting up or expanding plants in Ontario to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industries.

So far, the Green Energy Act has helped create over 20,000 jobs and is on track to create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012.